Setting up Python environments for Streamlit apps. Use when creating a new project or managing dependencies. Covers uv for dependency management and running apps.
Install
npx skillscat add streamlit/agent-skills/setting-up-streamlit-environment Install via the SkillsCat registry.
Streamlit environment
Use whatever dependency management the project already has (pip, poetry, conda, etc.). If starting fresh and uv is available, it's a good default—fast, reliable, and creates isolated environments automatically.
If uv is not installed, ask the user before installing it.
Using uv
If uv is available, here's how to set up a Streamlit project.
Quick start (venv only)
For simple apps, just create a virtual environment:
uv venv
source .venv/bin/activate # or .venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
uv pip install streamlitRun with:
streamlit run streamlit_app.pyFull project setup
For larger projects or when you need reproducible builds:
uv init my-streamlit-app
cd my-streamlit-app
uv add streamlitThis creates:
pyproject.tomlwith dependenciesuv.lockfor reproducible builds.venv/virtual environment
Run with:
uv run streamlit run streamlit_app.pyWith options
Avoid setting options unless you have a specific reason:
streamlit run streamlit_app.py --server.headless true # Only for automated/CI environmentsAdd dependencies
# With venv approach
uv pip install plotly snowflake-connector-python
# With full project (uv init)
uv add plotly snowflake-connector-pythonProject structure
Keep it simple. For most apps:
my-streamlit-app/
├── .venv/
└── streamlit_app.pyOnly add more when needed:
app_pages/→ Only for multi-page apps.streamlit/config.toml→ Only if customizing theme or settings.streamlit/secrets.toml→ Only if using secrets (add to.gitignore)pyproject.toml→ Only if usinguv initfor reproducible builds
Convention
Name your main file streamlit_app.py for consistency. This is what Streamlit expects by default.
What goes in the main module:
- When using navigation: it's a router that defines pages and runs them
- When there's no navigation: it's the home page with your main content
pyproject.toml Example
[project]
name = "my-streamlit-app"
version = "0.1.0"
requires-python = ">=3.11"
dependencies = [
"streamlit>=1.40.0",
"plotly>=5.0.0",
"snowflake-connector-python>=3.0.0",
]
[tool.uv]
dev-dependencies = [
"pytest>=8.0.0",
]